Standard Chartered UAE
Head, Fund Services Operations, Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 10 - 15 yrs
Job expiry date: 10/12/2025
Job overview
Date posted
26/10/2025
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 40,000 - 50,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
10 - 15 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
10/12/2025
Job description
The Head of Fund Services Operations, Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at Standard Chartered Bank is responsible for leading the delivery and oversight of fund and fiduciary services operations across the region. The role ensures operational excellence, risk control, and compliance with both regulatory and group standards while fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture. Based in Dubai, this position oversees the execution of fund services, fiduciary, and custody operations, ensuring alignment with the bankās strategic objectives and service excellence goals. The incumbent defines and manages client groupings, oversees service level agreements (SLAs), monitors third-party agent performance, and ensures country and global regulatory requirements are met. Key responsibilities include driving operational efficiency, cost control, and compliance; managing risk remediation and failed audit follow-ups; and maintaining budgetary discipline. The position involves leading regional teams, optimizing people, processes, platforms, and products in line with business strategy, and acting as the primary liaison between local and regional stakeholders. The role also requires the implementation of governance frameworks, operational risk identification, root cause analysis, and control enhancement initiatives. The incumbent engages with senior internal stakeholders including Country Heads, Risk, Finance, Compliance, and Technology, as well as regulators and auditors, to ensure strong alignment between operations and business objectives. The Head of Fund Services Operations must demonstrate deep expertise in fiduciary and fund services operations, custody and clearing, risk management, and governance, alongside strong leadership, analytical, and stakeholder management capabilities. The role demands high ethical standards, adherence to conduct principles, and commitment to the bankās values of integrity, innovation, and inclusion. Standard Chartered offers competitive compensation, flexible working options, global mobility opportunities, and continuous professional development within an inclusive, purpose-driven environment.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Oversee fund and fiduciary services operations across MENA, ensuring operational excellence, risk management, and adherence to group and regulatory standards.
- Align operational services across regional hubs to provide standardized, efficient, and client-centric delivery.
- Define and manage client groupings while ensuring compliance with established service level agreements (SLAs).
- Monitor third-party agent performance and coordinate with regional network management teams.
- Implement and maintain compliance with local and global regulatory requirements, driving continuous operational improvement.
- Collaborate with business heads to ensure operational platforms meet client expectations and quality standards.
- Lead day-to-day fund services operations, optimizing people, processes, platforms, and products in alignment with business strategy.
- Manage budgets, ensure resource efficiency, and drive cost control across fund operations teams.
- Support operational teams in managing risk, improving efficiency, and delivering high-quality services to internal and external clients.
- Participate in client proposals, operational forums, and remediation of audit findings or operational losses.
- Serve as primary point of contact for local and regional stakeholders, managing escalations and providing expert operational advice.
- Oversee regulatory reporting, suspense accounts, account reconciliations, and key process oversight.
- Recruit, develop, and retain top-performing staff, setting objectives, providing feedback, and rewarding excellence.
- Foster a high-performance culture aligned with Standard Charteredās values and conduct principles.
- Lead operational risk forums, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure sustainable controls and compliance with governance frameworks.
- Manage root cause analyses and process improvement initiatives to enhance operational resilience.
- Coordinate audit responses, regulatory submissions, and risk remediation activities.
- Promote ethical conduct, regulatory compliance, and adherence to the Group Code of Conduct.
- Embed the 'Here for good' philosophy and ensure brand values are reflected across all operational practices in the MENA region.
Experience & skills
- Extensive experience in fiduciary and fund services operations, custody and clearing, and operational risk management.
- Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams and deliver high-quality fund services across multiple geographies.
- Demonstrated expertise in governance, process improvement, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, operational risk mitigation, and resource optimization.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior executives, regulators, and auditors.
- Track record of managing budgets, performance metrics, and service-level compliance.
- Ability to conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective measures to address operational failures.
- Experience collaborating across business functions including Risk, Finance, Compliance, Technology, and Legal.
- Strong analytical, leadership, and decision-making capabilities in fast-paced, regulated environments.
- Commitment to ethics, regulatory integrity, and Standard Charteredās Conduct Principles, fostering a culture of accountability and inclusion.
